Headphones, earphones, wireless headphones : how to choose

Products

Earphones

There are several types or earphones:
The atria models: conventional ones
Earphones "clips": they are attached to the ear and providing more comfort.
The intra-Ear: These earphones are adapted to the ear. The music comes deeper into the ear for a better sound.
The semi-intra-ear: a good alternative for people who are experiencing discomfort with intra-ear.

The headphones

For wired models:
Helmet arch: classic, it passes over the head. Some fold for easy transport.
Backphones: recommended for athletes, provide more stability.
Intra ear-helmet: a system of mixes helmet arch and intra-ear ear phones.

The wireless headset

The headset is connected to the support via Bluetooth technology.
The headset is connected by infrared (Home use).
Headphones connected by RF technology, Radio Frequency.

There are also intra-ear wireless headset, including Kleer technology, which ensures high quality sound.

General and technical issues

General issues

Materials

Selecting material use for headphones or earbuds,comfort and audio transmission ate the two main factors taken

in consideration. For the tips of intra-ear: silicon, foam, rubber,can be used.

Length of wire

For outdoor use,a 1,20m wire will be suitable. For indoor purposes(to connect the headphones to his screen TV.

etc), several meters are preferable.


Connector
For wired headsets and headphones:
The size of the jack, to be sure it fits your equipment or make use of specific adapters.

Headphones and MP3

Headphones have a 3.5 mm jack:
Take a gold-plated jack ensures good audio transmission.

Technical issues

Frequency Response
Known commonly as bandwidth, the more the frequency range covered is large, the more your Headset will be able

to restore the diversity of sounds (expressed in Hz and kHz). For example, an headset havin a frequency range

of 20 Hz to 20 kHz (or 20 000 Hz) is generally of excellent quality.

Sensitivity

Also called acoustic pressure, it is expressed in dB (decibels), the higher it is, the more the quality of the

sound returned will be better (recommended 100 dB).

Noise Control

Sometimes indicated, it is also expressed in dB. Good insulation prevents, sound dispersion: listening is better (about 26 dB).

Basses

A neodymium magnet return more bass and power.Some headphones have specific components, such as a metal layer, which prevents bass vibration .


Impedance

The impedance is expressed in ohms, unit strength, and reflects the strength of the acoustic device.